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3.88 AVERAGE
3.88 AVERAGE
adventurous
mysterious
medium-paced
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
adventurous
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
05/16/2017 -- Received this entire series from the publisher today!!!
09/18/2018 -- Interesting 5th installment to this series, with a big cliffhanger, or two, at the end leading into a 6th book. The previous books in this series wrapped up without really any cliffhangers, although there are plot lines that have carried from book to book (Jack's book being stolen by Marc Longo and everything that continues to happen with that). This book seemed to have four mysteries, with only two of them solved and only bare details of the other two mentioned throughout this book and nothing at all resolved with them at the end (the cistern and the mystery surrounding Adrienne's murder/cold case).
There are new characters introduced, one of whom I guessed the mysteries surrounding her very early on from very obvious clues, though maybe full details were hazy until the end when everything was wrapped up with Jayne and her inheritance of the Pinckney mansion, as well as the mystery of why Anna and Hasell's spirits were lingering in the home.
I was hoping that most of Melanie's obtuseness would be gone now that she'd married Jack, but it just manifested in different ways. ha ha. There were such obvious things, to me, that were frustrating that she didn't pick up on (the one-eyed black cat, Jayne's fear of old houses and stubbornness about them being exactly like Melanie's).
I loved the twins, Sarah and JJ, and how they're woven into the story, as well as Sarah's gift manifesting at her early age (another clue). I really enjoy this author's writing style and have been drawn into each of these books for their enjoyment and descriptions of Charleston and the people and the homes and the recurring characters and the new recurring characters that come into each book and continue forward.
I definitely look forward to reading the next book (and I'm guessing the all next ones after that) and continuing to be drawn into the lives of Jack and Melanie, their children, their parents, their city, their friends, and their ghosts.
09/18/2018 -- Interesting 5th installment to this series, with a big cliffhanger, or two, at the end leading into a 6th book. The previous books in this series wrapped up without really any cliffhangers, although there are plot lines that have carried from book to book (Jack's book being stolen by Marc Longo and everything that continues to happen with that). This book seemed to have four mysteries, with only two of them solved and only bare details of the other two mentioned throughout this book and nothing at all resolved with them at the end (the cistern and the mystery surrounding Adrienne's murder/cold case).
There are new characters introduced, one of whom I guessed the mysteries surrounding her very early on from very obvious clues, though maybe full details were hazy until the end when everything was wrapped up with Jayne and her inheritance of the Pinckney mansion, as well as the mystery of why Anna and Hasell's spirits were lingering in the home.
I was hoping that most of Melanie's obtuseness would be gone now that she'd married Jack, but it just manifested in different ways. ha ha. There were such obvious things, to me, that were frustrating that she didn't pick up on (the one-eyed black cat, Jayne's fear of old houses and stubbornness about them being exactly like Melanie's).
I loved the twins, Sarah and JJ, and how they're woven into the story, as well as Sarah's gift manifesting at her early age (another clue). I really enjoy this author's writing style and have been drawn into each of these books for their enjoyment and descriptions of Charleston and the people and the homes and the recurring characters and the new recurring characters that come into each book and continue forward.
I definitely look forward to reading the next book (and I'm guessing the all next ones after that) and continuing to be drawn into the lives of Jack and Melanie, their children, their parents, their city, their friends, and their ghosts.
Karen White may be my favorite author.
This book series is great; the light ghost story adds some fun/mystery, but the characters are great as well. Start from the beginning. Mellie has had the twins and now goes back to her job at the real estate but gets of course involved with another house that has a haunting story. Some family secrets are uncovered and of course, a tragic family history is uncovered.
I did guess quite a bit of the surprises on this one-so almost gave it a 4-but feel to disloyal.
I love the characters, Jack, Mellie's husband, Ginette, Mellie's mom,Sophie, Mellie's bohemian friend, and even the local detective. A new character is introduced, Jayne this book. I even love the housekeeper.
So without spoiling-I heard in a few years (sad-too long), Karen will come out with another Tradd street book-with the new character involved more.
Always feel good after reading this series.
This book series is great; the light ghost story adds some fun/mystery, but the characters are great as well. Start from the beginning. Mellie has had the twins and now goes back to her job at the real estate but gets of course involved with another house that has a haunting story. Some family secrets are uncovered and of course, a tragic family history is uncovered.
I did guess quite a bit of the surprises on this one-so almost gave it a 4-but feel to disloyal.
I love the characters, Jack, Mellie's husband, Ginette, Mellie's mom,Sophie, Mellie's bohemian friend, and even the local detective. A new character is introduced, Jayne this book. I even love the housekeeper.
So without spoiling-I heard in a few years (sad-too long), Karen will come out with another Tradd street book-with the new character involved more.
Always feel good after reading this series.
4.5 stars
So when does the 6th book come out? Also, what was with the murdered girl storyline that was mentioned off and on but nothing ever happened with? There was enough going on that that storyline wasn't needed. I still love this series so much.
So when does the 6th book come out? Also, what was with the murdered girl storyline that was mentioned off and on but nothing ever happened with? There was enough going on that that storyline wasn't needed. I still love this series so much.
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
mysterious
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
This breaks my heart a bit to review. I love Karen White. I remain a devoted fan of Karen White. I was crushed reading the latest book in one of my favorite series. Have you ever read a book where a quarter to midway through you began to see where it is going and wish fervently you are wrong? As you keep reading you realize you aren't wrong and begin the act of bracing yourself for the inevitable? That was my experience with this one. I'll try to keep my review spoiler free; so you will read my reactions for the most part below...
My Thoughts:
-What happened to the Tradd Street characters we know and love?!! I picked up on all the drops that Melanie is trying to be the "new, married Melanie".... I liked the "old Melanie" she was quirky, unique, and great. Why try to change her?
-Who the "new" character ends up being... seriously.. what a lazy plot. I think Young and the Restless did something similar a few times. This alone makes me so angry. I truly believe the author is better than this. I'm still in a state of shock (so yeah, I get this is an emotionally driven review).
-The twins are adorable and I loved catching up on Nola's life.
-The "ghost" plot. It was so loose, scattered, and not explored as deeply as the previous four books explored their ghost plots. Maybe because the introduction of the "new" character wasn't needed!!
-I hate that Melanie is beating herself up for her suspicions. She had some material to go on and Jack wasn't forthcoming. She should have known right away from him and not find out secondhand via an album. WTF. (I mean that one too!) To end it with her saying it was something she will always regret... She doesn't deserve that.
-Why is it accepted that Jack, the nanny, her mother, her friends, etc. all start to ignore her concerns, her wishes, and basically begin treating her in a condescending manner? This isn't at all how the characters act in the previous books.
-I miss the "old" Melanie.
-What happened to solving her classmate's sister's murder???? Ball drop.
-It's probably for the best Netgalley turned me down for an Advanced Readers Copy of this one.
What's it About:
Briefly, we catch up with Melanie and Jack as they parent their twins and teenage daughter Nola in Charleston. A haunted young woman seeks Melanie's help in selling a home she inherited mysteriously from a woman she never met. Melanie sees similarities in her story and this woman's. Her client also becomes her nanny and Melanie picks up on the fact that this woman has secrets. The home is haunted by two entities, one of which is powerful. So powerful that Melanie ends up bearing the marks of a vicious attack. She begins to piece together a mystery that involves a historic house, two ghosts, a nanny, and a cat. The favorite characters return, the lovely Charleston sites are mentioned, and I miss the city already.
My Thoughts:
-What happened to the Tradd Street characters we know and love?!! I picked up on all the drops that Melanie is trying to be the "new, married Melanie".... I liked the "old Melanie" she was quirky, unique, and great. Why try to change her?
-Who the "new" character ends up being... seriously.. what a lazy plot. I think Young and the Restless did something similar a few times. This alone makes me so angry. I truly believe the author is better than this. I'm still in a state of shock (so yeah, I get this is an emotionally driven review).
-The twins are adorable and I loved catching up on Nola's life.
-The "ghost" plot. It was so loose, scattered, and not explored as deeply as the previous four books explored their ghost plots. Maybe because the introduction of the "new" character wasn't needed!!
-I hate that Melanie is beating herself up for her suspicions. She had some material to go on and Jack wasn't forthcoming. She should have known right away from him and not find out secondhand via an album. WTF. (I mean that one too!) To end it with her saying it was something she will always regret... She doesn't deserve that.
-Why is it accepted that Jack, the nanny, her mother, her friends, etc. all start to ignore her concerns, her wishes, and basically begin treating her in a condescending manner? This isn't at all how the characters act in the previous books.
-I miss the "old" Melanie.
-What happened to solving her classmate's sister's murder???? Ball drop.
-It's probably for the best Netgalley turned me down for an Advanced Readers Copy of this one.
What's it About:
Briefly, we catch up with Melanie and Jack as they parent their twins and teenage daughter Nola in Charleston. A haunted young woman seeks Melanie's help in selling a home she inherited mysteriously from a woman she never met. Melanie sees similarities in her story and this woman's. Her client also becomes her nanny and Melanie picks up on the fact that this woman has secrets. The home is haunted by two entities, one of which is powerful. So powerful that Melanie ends up bearing the marks of a vicious attack. She begins to piece together a mystery that involves a historic house, two ghosts, a nanny, and a cat. The favorite characters return, the lovely Charleston sites are mentioned, and I miss the city already.
I have enjoyed this series but I felt this installment was a little forced. For instance, the repetitive joke about her clothes not fitting got very old by mid book. I do enjoy the characters and spooky ambience but this was not her best.
I will always read books from this series. No matter what. Five books in, and I'm irrevocably hooked on the spooky creepy events that happen in this charming southern town. I can only hope and pray that Mellie gains some real maturity instead of walking around with less maturity than her teenage daughter. Character flaw? For sure, but this was the first book where it actually started grating on me. However, I loved the very obvious "twist" and this is probably as close to a cozy mystery series as I'll get, so yes, yes yes! to more books by Karen White!